to which he would go was to the rapids at
Elbow Rock; and, yet, he reflected, the waters could never reach the
sea without enduring the turmoil of the rapids. And, again, the thought
came, "The Bend is just as much the river as the troubled passage around
the rock."

When he had given up life, and, to all intent and purpose, had left life
behind him, the river, without his will or knowledge, had mysteriously
elected to save him from the death he had chosen as his only refuge from
the utter ruin that had seemed so inevitable. As the currents of the
river had carried his boat to the eddy at the foot of Auntie Sue's
garden, the currents of life had mysteriously brought him to the saving
influence of Auntie Sue herself. Should he push out again into the
stream to face the danger he knew beset such a course? or should he wait
for a season in the secure calm of the harbor she offered until he were
stronger? Brian Kent knew, instinctively, that there was in the wisdom
and love of Auntie Sue's philosophy and faith a strength that would, if
he could make it his, insure his safe passage through every danger of
life, and yet--The man's meditations were interrupted by a chance look
toward the bluff which towered above him.

Judy was climbing the steep trail.

Curiously, Brian watched the deformed mountain girl as she made her way
up the narrow, stairlike path, and her cutting words came back to him:
"God-A'mighty and my drunken pap made me like I am. But you,--damn
you!--you made yourself what you be." And Auntie Sue had said that
the all-important thing in life was not to DO something, but to BE
something.

The girl, who had gained a point halfway to the top of the bluff, paused
to look searchingly about, and Brian, who was half-hidden by the bushes,
started to call to her, thinking she might be looking for him; but some
impulse checked him and he remained silently watching her. Climbing
hurriedly a little higher up the path Judy again stopped to look
carefully around, as if searching the vicinity for some one. Then, once
more, she went on until she stood on top of the cliff; and now, as she
looked about over the surrounding country, she called: "Mr. Burns! Oh,
Mr. Burns! Who-o-e-e! Mr. Burns!"

Brian's lips were parted to answer the call when something happened on
top of the bluff which held him for the moment speechless.

From beyond where Judy stood on the brink of the cliff, a man's head
and shoulders appeared. Brian sa